Raiders finally release QB Collins in salary cap move
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The Oakland Raiders released quarterback Kerry Collins on Friday, an expected salary-cap move that got delayed five days after the NFL and its union postponed the start of free agency.
The Raiders had to make the tough decision on the fate of Collins, who knew his time was probably up with the Raiders because he would be too expensive. By releasing Collins, Oakland will save $9.2 million against the salary cap once bonuses are factored into the figures.
The Raiders thought they would be forced to let Collins go Sunday after the NFL and its union broke off talks earlier in the day, failing to agree upon an elevated cap number that would have allowed teams to keep certain high-priced veterans.
The 33-year-old Collins went 7-21 in two years as Oakland's starter and said at the end of the season he was willing to restructure his deal but wouldn't play for "peanuts."
New coach Art Shell said when he was hired last month that he believed Collins could be a "great" quarterback for the Raiders, but the team still had to figure out what it would do with him.
The Raiders already made moves this offseason to reduce their payroll for next season. They released defensive lineman Ted Washington, offensive lineman Ron Stone and defensive back Denard Walker last week. They also declined a $10 million option for 2006 for safety Derrick Gibson. Those moves created more than $18 million in additional cap space for 2006.
Oakland also declined to use a franchise tag on Charles Woodson, who made $10.537 million last season.
The Raiders scored 51 points, with six touchdowns, in their final five games and lost their last six overall and eight of nine despite an offense featuring Collins, Randy Moss, LaMont Jordan and Jerry Porter. At 4-12, they finished with one fewer victory than in fired coach Norv Turner's first season in 2004.
Perhaps the most glaring statistic is Oakland's failure to win a division game for the first time since owner Al Davis came aboard in 1963 to coach and eventually own the team. The Raiders went 1-11 against the AFC West during Turner's two seasons.
Collins started the season well, but couldn't maintain any consistency. He completed 302 passes for 3,759 yards -- his most since 2002 with the Giants -- and 20 touchdowns. He also was sacked 39 times and threw 12 interceptions.
Associated Press.
